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"He Looks A Born...": Vaughan Picks Brook As Ideal England Captain In Stokes' Absence

Poulomi Chakraborty

Vaughan Backs Brook Over Pope (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com, @ICC/x.com)Vaughan Backs Brook Over Pope (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com, @ICC/x.com)

The ongoing Oval Test is bringing all the cricket drama on the field as England’s outstanding bounce back has outshone Team India’s dominance. Amidst the pressure, Harry Brook’s brave century made the difference in the series decider.

Harry Brook’s performance in the ongoing series has impressed former English skipper Michael Vaughan. With Ben Stokes sidelined, Vaughan has thrown his support behind Brook to step up as skipper.

Vaughan Sees A Leader In Brook As Stokes Sits Out

In the ongoing series, the entire cricket world is enjoying unreal Test cricket thrills as the dead fight between Team India and England is igniting the fans. In the ongoing Test at the Oval, England’s fourth innings brilliance turned the tide as Harry Brook’s brave hundred flipped the script in their favor. Dominating the Indian bowlers, he played a thrilling knock of 111 runs in 98 deliveries.

As skipper Ben Stokes is sitting out of the match due to an injury, Ollie Pope is leading the team. Speaking in the Test Match Special Podcast, Michael Vaughan threw his weight behind Harry Brook, suggesting Brook is the real leader the team needs.

“Harry Brook, to me, looks a leader. He looks a born leader, If Ben Stokes is injured in the future can’t Pope stay as vice-captain and Harry Brook gets the leadership role?” he said.

Not Every Vice-Captain Becomes A Great Leader

After Ben Stokes sustained a hamstring injury in the last match, Ollie Pope donned the captain’s hat for the fifth time. In the previous four instances, he won three Tests out of four. But despite his solid record, Michael Vaughan isn’t fully convinced, praising Pope as a brilliant vice-captain, yet hinting that not all deputies make great leaders.

“I look at someone like Ollie Pope, who looks a fantastic vice-captain. He is a brilliant person to have next to the captain to come up with ideas. Sometimes vice-captains aren’t brilliant captains,” he said.


“I don’t know well enough and am not in the dressing room. I just want the best captain who is the best leader leading the England side. I don’t think a good vice-captain will necessarily be a good captain,” he added.

On the fourth day of the Test match, Joe Root’s and Harry Brook’s partnership gave a massive boost for the hosts as they are just 35 runs away from the series win.